In my mind, Grandma's apple butter was the best ever made. Whenever I asked her how
she made it come out perfectly every time, she always answered, "I had to
make it not so perfect until I learned better." The safe operation of
mining equipment is pretty close to that. You can't operate the equipment
safely or efficiently until you 'learn better'. Proper task training on
large surface mining equipment must be more than a five or ten minute run
through of what control does what. The more complicated the machinery, the
more task training is required. Regardless of how long you have worked in
the mines, if you are assigned to run a piece of equipment that is new or
unfamiliar, get proper task training. Your safety and the safety of your
co-workers depend on it.

Reissued:

04/30/2002

Tag #

AP2002-M015

MSHA extends a thank you and a tip of the hardhat to Kerry Robinson of Henderson, Texas, a winner of a limited edition sticker and patch.
If you have a tip you would like to pass on, you can e-mail it to zzMSHA-MinersTips@dol.gov. If your tip is selected, you will receive credit in this space.